Graduate School: The Learning Continues

Many of you know that I am working on my Master of Science degree at Tennessee State University in Agricultural Sciences. I'm concentrating in Agriculture Education, because that was my main focus for my undergrad career.

What I love about TSU is that the campus feels like home. I had so many people talk to me about going there, because they only knew what they'd heard on the news -- violence, guns, etc. That is not the case at all. During my year and a half as a student, the only notifications I've gotten from the alert system is when they test it once a month to make sure it still works. I love my campus and teachers because they're always there to help you. I've had such a great experience there that I'm going to be sad to leave in August after I graduate.

Yep, you've read that right. I, Molly, will be graduating in August with my MS in Agricultural Sciences from Tennessee State University to not just be a first generation college student, but a first generation graduate school grad.

After that, I'm not sure where I'm going. I know. That doesn't sound quite like me, but roll with me for a second.

I've met with the College of Education at my Alma Mater -- Tennessee Tech University -- about getting my Specialist in Education degree for Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education. You're probably thinking, "why is a girl who has a degree in AGRICULTURE education wanting to get a degree in ELEMENTARY education?" Let me answer that for you - I have spent a lot of time this academic year so far primarily subbing for classes fourth grade and down. I've spent some time at the high school too, but those younger learners have sparked some sort of joy in me that I don't have when I teach older students at times. I have felt myself become a better teacher when teaching them because of their excitement to learn. I also love the fact that I can still work in agriculture into their curriculum. It's beautiful, really. I have also received a lot of positive feedback from teachers and administration about me working with the younger students. They've encouraged me to follow this as that there is going to be a mass retirement here in the near future in my home county, and they said they'd "love" to have me there. If I went to Tech starting in August for my EdS, I've been told I can apply for an assistantship that will pay for my tuition and everything if I just work on campus -- I'll even get a small "paycheck" each month called a stipend. I can do that, live at home, and still have time to spend with my potbelly pig and work on all my side hustles. The kicker? I wouldn't be able to do a full time job and do that. It's one or the other, really.

My next move? If I don't do the Elementary Education route, then I am following my passion for agriculture to the next step -- a Doctorate of Philosophy degree. Yep, the PhD. I really want to get my PhD in animal science with a focus in animal behavior and welfare. I love studying animals and learning more about them (which is why it was my second major during my time at Tech). I've been chatting with faculty at Texas A&M and Auburn via e-mail. I've submitted a request to tour Virginia Tech, and I'm still waiting on them. The most promising one, though, is Texas A&M. They have exactly what I'm looking for in regards to studying and have some top-notch facilities. The downside? I'd have to move all the way to Texas to get my degree. The upside? I can probably get an assistantship to help me pay for it AND I could keep up with my side gigs to help pay for my other living expenses. Essentially, I could become highly educated for less money than what I've borrowed for my Masters if I play my cards right. I'm still up in the air, because I've never lived that far away from home and the idea of not teaching and keeping my teaching license plus insurance is also kind of terrifying, because I've spent a lot of time and effort earning my license and I don't want to lose it after all of that.

So, you can see, I'm at an impasse. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm wanting to even do with my life, and I'm 23 years old. I know that I want to teach in some sort of manner. I know I want to spread my love of agriculture to people of all ages. I know that my heart is torn right now trying to find the right fit for me. All of this is stuff I've talked about for ages, but now that it's at a point where I can make it a reality, I'm shaking in my boots. I'm almost just wanting to have someone else choose for me, but I know I can't. It isn't that easy. What life do I want to live? What will bring me the most happiness? We'll just have to wait an see.

In the mean time, I probably need to get back to working on my current graduate school assignments and studying instead of worrying about the future.

What do you think you'd want to do with your future? What are some things you enjoy that you'd LOVE to make a career out of but are terrified? Comment those below!